An army of stink bugs has marched into 38 states, and the federal government is scrambling to find ammunition to take them down.
Brown marmorated stink bugs, a Chinese import, are invading Kansas City homes, orchards, and vineyards; eating fruit, buzzing overhead, and staying warm until they can emerge and lay eggs in spring.
Entomologists are deep into R&D to find ways to wipe out the stink bug. Front-runners include baited traps and natural stink bug enemies, such as the wheel bug, a bug assassin that injects a paralyzing enzyme that turns stink bug innards into porridge, which the wheel bug sucks up.
The best way you can keep stink bugs at bay is to seal your home up tight, like you do in winter to lower your heating costs.
- Close doors and windows
- Fill cracks in siding, window screens, and HVAC vents
- Install weather stripping
- Plug outdoor outlets
If stink bugs already have invaded your home, grab them with toilet paper and flush them down the toilet. Or, drown them in a jar of soapy water.
Do not squish them, which will release the stink that inspired its name, or vacuum them up, which will make the machine smell.
Remember, if an unwanted pest crosses your path, call (816) 761-1313 or (913) 384-6760 or drop me an email at info@milbergerpestcontrol.com